Whitehorse (Aug 25/03) - Alex Larabie will remember this as the summer he conquered his fear of heights.

The cadet corporal from Cambridge Bay was one of 250 youths from across Canada and the North who spent six weeks at a camp near Whitehorse, learning and honing leadership skills.

"I have a fear of heights and yet I was able to climb down a mountain," he said. "I didn't think I could do it, but I did and it felt great."

Master-Cpl Tyson Bakker, from Hay River said the camp was a huge learning experience for him.

Bakker said he arrived at camp he was shy but was able to overcome that to meet new people and make a lot of friends.

"I've leaned a lot through the camp," he said.

Cpl. Nicole Krivan, from Yellowknife agreed the entire summer was a great experience and it's one she won't soon forget.

"We all learned how to become leaders," she said.

Cpt. Paul McKee, cadet instructor, said the best part about the camp is seeing all the cadets improve.

"When the kids first arrive they don't think they can do anything but they realize they can," he said.

"You give them a small problem and they have to figure it out," he said. "It's amazing what they are able to come up with."

During their training the cadets, both army and air, learned wilderness survival, first aid, kayaking and leadership skills.

"I really enjoyed learning how to kayak," said Larabie.

The six weeks was a lot of fun for the cadets, but it was also a lot of work.

"They taught us how to survive, but they made it fun for us," said Krivan. "We were always being challenged."

The three agreed that the best part about the camp was meeting all the other cadets.

"It was where the North met the South," said Larabie.

It was a place for cadets to learn and practice skills that they will take back to their communities.

"We now have the chance to pass on what we know to cadets who are new to the program," said Bakker.

"It's a great feeling to have this leadership responsibility."

Even though the three are still in high school, they are thinking about careers in the armed forces.

"I want to join the forces to become a field engineer," said Larabie.